My travel stories and learnings from living with a spinal cord injury

List of wheelchair accessible taxis in India

Going out on the roads or using public transport is not exactly a cakewalk for wheelchair users in India. The roads can be considered equivalent to an obstacle course marked with potholes even surfaces, superfluous traffic of two-wheelers and four-wheelers, footpaths are non-existent or mostly occupied by small vendors and so on. The concept of having ramps is alien to our public buses and trains. Metros, that run in a handful of cities, are the only exceptions.

Privileged wheelchair users can modify their personal cars with a ramp and the not so privileged can wait for the actual rollout of Accessible India campaign. Most of us not satisfied any of the above two options make do with our own jugaads to go around.

Thankfully, there is another option of hiring a wheelchair accessible taxi in some cities of India.

Below are the details of wheelchair accessible taxis available in Bangalore (3), Goa (2), Coimbatore (1) and Ahmedabad (1). There are none in New Delhi.

Check out this introduction video of their taxis suitable for disabled & elderly passengers:

Uber Access, Bangalore

If you are a regular user Uber Access will come across as the most cost-effective. It is not possible to hire their taxi for the entire day, but like the regular Uber-taxis can be hired to go from point A to point B. They have an existing fleet of 30 ‘Tata Winger’ taxis and plan to scale it to 45 in the city. Their drivers are hand-picked, ones who have been rated 4 stars and above.

Cost: They charge between Rs 25 – 30 per km.

How to book: Open the Uber app on your Android or iOS smartphone and select Access in the type of ride.

Uber App

Uber App

Mobility India, Bangalore

They have two vehicles specifically remodeled to suit the needs of people with disabilities and senior citizens. Wheelchairs can easily go straight into the vehicles, with the help of a manual-foldable ramp.

Costs: Their minimum charge is Rs 400 for up to 20 kms, thereafter it’s Rs 20 per extra km.

**Although Mobility India website ranks high in Google search, my experience with booking a taxi has been bad. I have never got a response to emails. Most of the time nobody picks up the phone. Even if someone does pick up they don’t give any clarity on booking the taxi. It is extremely painful to speak with them. I have never been able to book a cab with them.

Freedom Cab, Goa

Freedom Cab is Goa’s first and only wheelchair accessible taxi service. They have modified a Maruti Ecco with a ramp so that a wheelchair can enter the taxi from the side. The taxi can accommodate 4 people in addition to the wheelchair user.

Costs: Hire the taxi for a day i.e. 8 hrs, 80 kms for Rs 2000.

Their rates are negotiable. If you want to use the taxi for less duration, the cost will be reduced.

Sarathi, Coimbatore

The wheelchair accessible taxi service ‘Sarathi’ is an initiative of the Swarga Foundation. It provides a safe, convenient and reliable commute for any individual with a mobility impairment or senior citizens to any location of choice within and outside the city.

The interiors of the van have been redesigned to accommodate one wheelchair, two independent seats, a 6” x 2” long sofa bed and a chemical toilet with a swivel seat. The driver has been trained and sensitized to assist wheelchair users. The wheelchair is pushed up a foldable ramp placed in the rear of the vehicle. SARATHI currently has one van in service and is available 7 days a week.

Ability on Wheels, Ahmedabad

Ability on Wheels is most popularly known for their driving school for people with disabilities – using customized cars. In addition, they have launched a wheelchair accessible cab service in Ahmedabad which is also available if you want to take the cab out of station. Their two cars, a customised Renalut Lodgy and a Maruti Wagon R which can accommodate a wheelchair user and two and one passenger respectively.

Always check on the following before booking a wheelchair accessible taxi:

The height of the car: It should be high enough to accommodate you sitting on the wheelchair.

The number of people it can accommodate: It’s always more fun when there is company 🙂

The latest fares: Sometimes the taxi cost can change due to factors such as fluctuating petrol and diesel prices.

Always give a clear brief when booking. Include your name, contact number, date, pickup and drop-off address, the number of people accompanying you and whether any waiting will be required.

Hope the above information on wheelchair accessible taxis in India is useful. Drop in a comment if you have any queries. Also, if you come across any more taxi providers then let me know. I’ll be happy to include them in the list.

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Hey there,
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
A road accident in June 2011 gave me a cervical spinal cord injury.
I am a communications professional. My job helps me stay close to 2 of my biggest passions: technology and travel.
More than anything, this blog is to reassure myself and watch my thoughts.
Drop in a comment if you would like to connect.
Cheers
Mrunmaiy